24 June 2008

As Canada Day draws nearer and celebrations are being planned country wide the question comes to mind about Canadian cuisine. I am often asked what I would consider to be typically Canadian fare.

We are asked by Jennifer of the Domestic Goddess to submit a dessert recipe that we feel goes back to our Canadian roots for the yearly Mmmm ..Canada event.

So what is Canadian?

Italian, French, Greek, Chinese and other cuisines are easily defineable. What all of the above cuisines have in common is that when they are preparing these regional dishes the cooks used ingredients that are available to them in their own country or region to create their every day foods. A cuisine is built on foods we eat on a day to day basis at home or what is available to us in restaurants. This is also true of Canadian cuisine. We use ingredients that we find in our local farmers markets but also depend heavily on our ethnic roots from province to province. Canada was built on its British and French roots which means you could be chomping down on Tart de Sucre in Quebec, Nanaimo Bars in British Columbia or Butter Tarts in Ontario.

Canada is a melting pot of diverse cultures that has heavily influenced our day to day foods in a big way from the Eastern shores of the Maritime Provinces to the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast. Living in British Columbia we have what we call West Coast cuisine which is essentially just utilizing the freshest local ingredients available ...just as they do in every province and territory across the country. If you asked a Canadian in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to define what they eat on a daily basis you would have two different answers. Ask your neighbour what they had for dinner last night and see what the ethnic influences are. Like everyone else we use what's in our backyard and cook with what's around us."

So what is the first thing that came to my mind when I was asked to make a Canadian dessert.....Strawberry Shortcake!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a Canadian version made with cake and not biscuits like our American counterparts. Where exactly the difference originated I have no idea but I do remember reading about it years ago (most likely in Canadian Living Magazine) about this fact. In Canada, as a general rule, we are given a British based short"cake" and in the States they make a biscuit out of "short"ening. Is it "short" or is it "cake"...who cares...both versions are delicious.

As a child strawberries became synonomous with the "Strawberry Social" fundraisers we attended in elementary school. Parents, teachers, brothers, sisters all together smoozing over strawberries and whipped cream on tender buttery cakes. The teachers would bake the cakes and the kids would spend the afternnoon hulling and slicing berries. Part of the strawberries appeal as always is that it's arrival marks the beginning of summer!!!!!!!!!!! Strawberry shortcake brings memories of lazy summer days, warm sunshine and childhood pursuits.

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add milk, butter and vanilla; beat at low speed just to blend. Beat at medium speed for 2 - 3 minutes, scraping down side and bottom of bowl twice. Add eggs, beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.Grease and flour a 9-inch square cake pan; line with waxed paper. Spread batter evenly in pan; Bake in 350 F for 45 - 55 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack. (Cake can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 1 month).Slice berries and combine with sugar; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Whip cream. Slice cake into 2 layers. Reserve 2 cups berry mixture for topping. Spoon remaining berry mixture over bottom layer, spread with about 1/3 of the whipped cream. Top with second layer, cut side down. Ice sides and top with remaining cream. Spoon reserved berries over each serving.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.

As for Greek cuisine, don't forget all the regional variations of the same dish, which makes Greek cuisine seem less definable - we start to split it up in the same way: Cretan, Cypriot, Cycladic, Macedonian, etc, and we've been known to disagree with each other!

Well both being Canadian I guess it is not surprising that we'd think alike. I was reading this Mmmm Canada event and the first thing that came to mind was bbq burgers, potato salad and strawberry shortcake. Yours looks so great.

Val, this is a great event. It will give us the chance to learn more about Canadian cuisine. I never thought of this before and thought that most of its cuisine is based on British cooking. Your cake looks delicious.

This is so interesting, Val. Our local bakery in NYC, when I was growing up, showcased your "Canadian" version of strawberry shortcake, rather than the more typical States type, with a biscuit type cake.

.

Discover

can we help you search...

_____

Relax

My blog More Than Burnt Toast has been my passion for almost 9 years and has evolved with me over time as I have gained confidence in the kitchen. Follow my travels through Italy and Greece one recipe at a time, upcoming cooking classes at local Okanagan wineries and restaurants, as well as daily experimentation in my own kitchen. Every day we should be excited about what we are eating even if it just means making use of a wonderful find at our local farmers market. I look forward to getting to know you.